Written by: Audrey Taylor
“Find three hobbies you love: One to make you money, one to keep you in shape and one to be creative.” ―
There are many reasons why you should consider having a hobby. Not only are they great in relieving stress, but are also an excellent tool in strengthening your social bonds and showing off your creative potential.
It is impossible to count all the hobbies that exist today, and even harder to pick one. Your primary goal and criteria should be to enjoy and have fun. Here is some advice on how to choose a hobby that matches your personality:
?️ Adevnture Seekers
If you are more of an adventurous type, you probably won’t be satisfied with taking up a low-impact hobby, like playing chess or collecting stamps. That’s why you should choose an activity that makes your blood pump stronger and makes you come back for more again and again!
There are numerous thrilling hobbies you could choose from. If you enjoy the ocean or the open sea, give scuba diving a try. It will simultaneously give you an adrenalin rush, and make you feel peaceful.
Alternatively, if you enjoy spending time in nature, take up hiking or spelunking (exploring caves). On the other hand, if you enjoy getting a pump through sports activities, maybe you should go carting or racing with your friends.
Bear in mind, many of these activities pose a certain danger to you, so always have an instructor nearby, at least in the beginning!
?️ Science Seekers
If you were curious about how things worked from a young age, or you always wanted to know the secrets of the universe that surrounds us, then you’ll likely feel the most comfortable taking up a science-related hobby.
Astronomy is one of the most sought after activities since outer space offers so many unanswered questions. So, you could get a telescope and start observing the sky. It is a highly accessible activity, which you could perform wherever you have clear skies! However, this doesn’t mean only looking at the sky. You will spend much time reading books and encyclopedias, to gain broader knowledge.
If you are more into finding out about the things that surround us on Earth, you could take up amateur microscopy, where you could start gathering samples, observing them and collecting data about your surroundings.
?️ Low Impact
If you don’t wish to put too much strain on your body, maybe because of health reasons or you are just not an active type, you should get a low impact hobby. These are the activities that can help you relax, unwind or sometimes even relieve pain.
Knitting and crocheting are a great way to sit down and relax, while simultaneously showing off your creativity. All you need is some needles and yarn, and you could start learning about this skill through many YouTube tutorials.
Another low impact way to occupy your time is taking up scrap-booking or organizing your family photos, which is a great way to preserve precious family memories. After a couple of years, you’ll be happy you saved your kids’ art, and photos from going to waste.
However, you may like low impact activities but do not enjoy spending time at home. There are options for you too. You could always go out for a walk, alone or with friends.
Bird watching is another option, where you could spend a peaceful day in nature. You just need a good pair of binoculars. If you want to go out for a bike ride, but don’t want to tire yourself out, there is a broad choice of electric bicycles online. This way, you could feel the joy of riding a bike, without feeling exhausted afterwards!
?️ History Buffs
For those passionate about history, it is easy to pursue that interest. From the low impact, cheap activities to those that require some effort, time and money.
First of all, if you are a history buff, you probably know what your favourite periods are. But, you could always run into something you didn’t know about, and feel excited!
Search for books and resources about those topics, and go either to the library or buy books online. This should always keep you occupied. A great way to learn about history is to read historical fiction, which is one of the most popular genres out there, and to watch history documentaries. Admittedly, fiction authors sometimes tend to take artistic freedoms and alter some things. But, usually, they are backed by extensive research.
However, the best way to spark your love for history and to keep it alive is to immerse yourself. That means visiting as many historical sites as possible. First, start with those that are near to you.
You’d be surprised how many gems you didn’t know about are out there! After that, if you have enough funds, try around your country, or even going to some distant places around the world.
?️ Hobbies for Collectors
Collecting stuff is one of the most popular pastimes ever. The great thing about it is that you can collect almost anything that comes in mind, as long as you enjoy the process. These things might sometimes seem odd, funny or strange, but they add value to the life of the collector.
Also, many of these people are so passionate and caring about their collections, that it is almost impossible not to respect that. On the other hand, some people collect things even if they are not aware of it.
There literally countless things you could collect. The most popular through history were coin or stamp collecting. These collections can turn out to be extremely valuable if you decide to sell them. Also, action figures and comic books are among the favourite items to collect. The better the condition they’re in, the higher the value will be.
However, you don’t have to follow these trends. Find what you’re passionate about, and start hunting for valued pieces!
?️ Artistic Souls
Art is probably the best way to express yourself and can be a significant creative outlet when used as a hobby. Also, don’t worry, you don’t need to be an established artist to perform these activities!
Your primary goal should be to enjoy doing it and to show off your creativity. Drawing and painting are among the most popular hobbies overall, and they are inexpensive and easy to start too! All you need is a canvas, some basic colors, and some pencils and paintbrushes.
If you like working with clay and making something with your hands, then pottery and ceramics would be a good fit. There are probably some classes in your hometown where you could learn the ins and outs of it.
Amateur photography is becoming increasingly popular these days. High-quality cameras are more accessible to everyone. You need to invest some money in the beginning, but after that, you just need to decide what you want to shoot: portraits, landscapes, animals or anything else.
Many of these hobbies can be done in the privacy of your own home, without anyone having to see your work, but if you decide, you could always set up an exhibition, or publish your photos online.
?️ Mind Sharpening
Even if you are an exercise buff, you shouldn’t neglect your mental health. The brain also needs exercise to stay fit. Fortunately, there are many hobbies, which besides being fun, are suitable for those who enjoy a good mental challenge.
The most common choice of many people is the “Game of Kings” – chess. There’s no better way to train your mind. Also, it is surprisingly easy to learn basic rules! However, to be proficient, you’ll need to spend countless hours playing, which shouldn’t be a problem if you enjoy it.
If you like spending time alone tucked in comfortably, then reading books is for you. It is one of the most accessible hobbies out there. However, if you want to challenge yourself daily by learning new skills, then you should consider taking up a musical instrument or learning a new language.
?️ Family Friendly
A great way to strengthen the relationship with your loved ones is to have a mutual hobby you could take together, even if it is just once in a while. You could opt for outdoor or indoor activities, depending on what you or your kids like. If you are more of an indoor type, you could have a weekly game night, when you would play board games, cards or even video games.
A movie night is always a fun option for the whole family! Alternatively, maybe you could cook together once in a while, followed by a meal you’ll share together.
However, if you prefer letting your kids roam outside, hobbies like gardening or animal keeping could be fun activities. That way, you’ll pick up a new skill, while teaching your kids responsibilities along the way. Also, playing sports like football, basketball or tennis could be an excellent way to activate your kids and to enjoy while doing it.
Take all the things you like doing into consideration, and there you might find an answer on what your next hobby should be. However, you might not make the right choice at first, which is why it’s important not to give up the search.
Even the process of trying to figure it out can be fun. In the end, you should find an activity that makes you eager to do it, and that you can’t wait for those couple of free hours available to you!
XO, Audrey
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